News & Updates

Archive: 2011

Floating rate borrowers are enjoying the lowest average rates since July 1965, but those waiting for signs fixed rates will rise before switching may be taking a risk, according to BNZ.29-04-2011 more >>

More investors are in the market looking for properties, though their numbers lag behind first time buyers who are finding a warmer welcome at the banks, according to the inaugural BNZ-REINZ real estate survey.21-04-2011 more >>

The recent recovery in the housing market highlighted by the REINZ March data is "not a flash in the pan that will fade," and may mark the start of housing market recovery, according to BNZ economist Tony Alexander.15-04-2011 more >>

Auckland recorded more than 50% more house sales in March than February, and 11.4% more than in March 2010, according to the latest Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) figures.13-04-2011 more >>

Property values remain relatively stable at a national level, though variability continues to be seen between areas and only Nelson has values at same level as 2010, according to the latest QV report for March.12-04-2011 more >>

Inflation is the "Gorilla in the room" increasingly making its presence felt, and as interest rates rise, now is the time to fix your mortgage rate, according to Tower Investments CEO Sam Stubbs.11-04-2011 more >>

The man behind a property scheme that promised home ownership to vulnerable Kiwi's has been sentenced at the Auckland District Court of breaching the Fair Trading Act, fined $237,048 plus $42,764 in repatriation.07-04-2011 more >>

The Government is prepared to pump up to $500 million of equity into AMI Insurance after it reportedly had $1 billion of capital and reinsurance cover wiped out by the two Canterbury earthquakes.07-04-2011 more >>

Despite media coverage of increased competition among Auckland renters â€“ and corresponding reports of rising rents â€“ average rental inflation across the Auckland region was just 3% in February, according to Crockers Market Research.04-04-2011 more >>

The half a percentage point reduction in the Official Cash rate will be good for the economy and a welcome relieve for rental property owners. The timing of the interest rate cuts is excellent, coming just as building depreciation allowances are being removed for residential rental properties. However the interest rate cuts will not fully compensate for the tax changes that came into place on the first of April. In addition, rental prices only increased by an average 3% last year while general inflation was at 4%. Combined with an increase in demand and weak supply, almost everything is pointing to higher rental prices.01-04-2011 more >>